Nokia warms to Google's mobile plans

 

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By Barry Collins and Reuters

Posted on 7 Nov 2007 at 08:31

Nokia won't rule out taking part in Google's new mobile software alliance, according to a spokesman for the world's leading phone manufacturer.

Google announced its plans for Android - a Linux-based, open mobile phone platform that combines operating system and applications - earlier this week, with Nokia conspicuous by its absence from the list of partners. By contrast, companies such as Intel, Motorola, Samsung, LG and HTC are all members of the Google-led Open Handset Alliance.

However, Nokia says it hasn't closed the door on Google's initiative. "It's not ruled out at all," says Kari Tuutti, spokesman for Nokia's multimedia unit. "If we would see this as beneficial we would think about taking part in it. We should never close any doors."

Tuuti's comments are far more welcoming than Nokia's initial statement to PC Pro, which implied Google was merely copying the mobile giant's strategy. "Over the past year, we have seen a number of respected companies make moves which reinforce our long-held belief that the worlds of mobility and the internet are becoming intertwined," the statement reads. "Nokia introduced the first modern smartphone to the world 11 years ago, and as of today, has delivered over 100 million converged devices based on the industry leading S60 platform. Today, we are pleased to see Google following the trail that Nokia has been blazing for over a decade."

Google claims its software won't threaten entrenched players, such as Nokia, which owns 48% of Symbian, whose operating system is behind almost three-quarters of the world's smartphones.

Analysts, however, claim Google could have the means to disrupt the status quo in the wireless software industry, which is dominated by a handful of large phone makers and regional service providers that often tightly control customer choices. The platform could also give Google a head start in the burgeoning mobile advertising market, which has been hampered by lack of agreement on standards and handset design.

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